POS-06 Southwest Treasures: Escalante, Bryce & Zion Hiking Adventure

October 9-13

This guided hiking adventure takes you deep into the powerful landscapes of the Southwest. Extraordinary vistas, striking geology and insight into ancient and modern cultures provide context as you hike two to eight miles each day. At the heart of the tour are Escalante National Monument and Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks. These gems of our National Park system receive many visitors, but few, like our group, experience the charm of their off-the-beaten-path trails.

We start our adventure with a glimpse of what is to come during a short hike and picnic at Snow Canyon State Park, then set up camp at Kodachrome Basin State Park, where the rock’s palette of colors—red, yellow, pink, white and brown—against the blue sky and green vegetation, provided the inspiration for its name.

Day two we explore Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument with its hanging plateaus and slender gorges. Day three begins with sunrise at Bryce Canyon, a fairytale amphitheater of rock formations and pink “hoodoos” (pinnacles). From there we journey to the sheer red-rock walls and slot canyons of Zion to hike the Narrows and wade knee- to waist-deep in the Virgin River. Day four we rise to the challenge of Angel’s Landing in Zion, among the pre-eminent trails of our National Park system and a fitting finale to our adventure. The trail ascends 1,488 feet in 2.5 miles and rewards hikers with sweeping north-south views. We start day five with a farewell hike on the Watchman Trail before returning to Las Vegas.

Activity level: Moderate-plus. This tour requires good physical condition and hiking ability. Most days include a minimum of five miles of hiking, some with substantial elevation gains and crossing rivers.